From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Wooden African javelin pointed with iron or fire-hardened tip
An
askari
guard at an
Allied
air training school at
AFB Waterkloof
,
Pretoria
, South Africa, January 1943
An
assegai
or
assagai
[a]
[2]
is a
polearm
used for throwing, usually a light
spear
or
javelin
made up of a wooden
handle
with an iron tip.
Area of use
[
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]
The use of various types of the assegai was widespread all over Africa and it was the most common weapon used before the introduction of firearms. The
Zulu
,
Xhosa
, and other
Nguni
tribes of South Africa were renowned for their use of the assegai.
Iklwa
[
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]
Zulu man with the shorter iklwa
Shaka
of the
Zulu
popularized the use of the shorter stabbing spear with a 610 mm (24 in) shaft and a larger, broader blade 300 mm (12 in) long in warfare, which was traditionally used primarily as a hunting spear. This weapon is otherwise known as the
iklwa
or
ixwa
, after the sound that was heard as it was withdrawn from the victim's wound.
[3]
[4]
The traditional spear was not abandoned, but was used to
range attack
enemy formations before closing in for
close quarters battle
with the iklwa. This tactical combination originated during
Shaka's military reforms
. This weapon was typically used with one hand while the off hand held a
cowhide
shield
for protection.
Botany
[
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]
It is also the name of a southern African tree (
Curtisia dentata
) whose wood was suitable for making spears or lances, most notably by the
Bantu-speaking people
of southern Africa.
See also
[
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]
Notes
[
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]
References
[
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]
External links
[
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]
The dictionary definition of
assegai
at Wiktionary
African traditional weapons and bladed tools
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Swords
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Daggers & knives
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Choppers & machetes
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Impact weapons
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Pole or spear weapons
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Flexible weapons
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Miscellaneous weapons
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Shields
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